Wallpaper: Real Madrid 0 - Barcelona 2

Barcelona's victory in this Champions League semifinal almost secured their pass to the great final. Messi was the hero in this 0-2 win over Real Madrid, and you can have those moments right in your desktop. Choose your screen resolution and click on the image to expand. Then, right click on the wallpaper, and choose "save image as".

1024 x 768

1280 x 800

1366 x 768

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Supreme Messi crushed Mourinho's hopes

Josep Guardiola's best answer to Mourinho was not his latest words at the press room. This Barcelona's 0-2 win over Madrid was the real hit for the Portuguese coach. And Pep's the most lethal weapon was, once again, Lionel Messi.

Messi netted two superb goals and almost decided this Champions League semifinal in favor of Barcelona. A 10-men Real Madrid could not stop him, even in a game full of fouls and violence.

Mourinho complained about the referee and about UEFA helping Barcelona in every competition they play. He also said that winning Barcelona in the second game will be "not only tough. It will be impossible".

This was the third "clasico" in fifteen days, in we still have one left to play.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: 1-1 draw in first duel

The 1-1 draw tasted like victory for Real Madrid. Mourinho's side displayed a great performance in front of the best team in the world and have a morale boost which help them face the next three derbies with real hopes of beating Guardiola's squad. Still, Barcelona remains 8 points ahead of Madrid and are almost champions of the Spanish League.

Talented Lionel Messi scored the opener with a penalty shoot. Cristiano Ronaldo netted the equalizar in the second in the same style.

The duel Ronaldo-Messi ended up tied as well. The Portuguese striker proved to be just as crucial for his team as the argentinian star.

Now Guardiola has to prepare his team for the second derby, the most important one so far, in the Copa del Rey final.

Gerard Pique: Messi has something else that makes him better than Cristiano Ronaldo

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is convinced that Lionel Messi is far better than Cristiano Ronaldo, even when he admits that the Portuguese is a "spectacular player".

"Both are extremely strong and really hard to play against" but Messi "has something else". According to Pique, Lio is one of the few footballer in history that can decide a game by himself.

"To stop Ronaldo, you must force him to drive the ball with his left leg, and keep him from shooting a long pass" Pique assured. "But Messi... you just can't steal the ball from him".

Copa del Rey: Barcelona crushed Almeria and almost secured their place in the final

Guardiola's side got an impressive 5-0 win in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Almeria. Only a complete disaster in the next game would keep Barcelona from playing in the final game of the "Copa del Rey".

Lionel Messi was the star, once again, scoring twice. The other goals were netted by David Villa,Keita and Pedrito. Almeria had no chance against an inspired team.

The front men in Barcelona were extremely precise tonight. Messi, Pedro and Villa were a constant nightmare for Garcia, Pellerano and Macedo. Goalkeeper Esteban had nothing to do in the five goals.

J. Luis Oltra's team had an amazing campaign that reached the peak by playing in this semifinals. But it seems like it will be impossible to beat Barcelona for more than 5 goals in their second game.

Xavi: "I would suffer playing at Real Madrid"

"If I were playing at Real Madrid, I would enjoy the game in the same way I do at Barcelona" Xavi Hernandez said in his last interview. "Mourinho's team aligns their game in a vertical line through the center of the field. And I need wings that open the game over the sides, making diagonal moves. I need constant movement".

Xavi was interviewed by FIFA and he said that Barcelona's style is the best one for him as a footballer. The talented midfielder is one of the strongest candidates to win the Golden Ball Award, but his favorites are Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Spectacular Messi scores four goal to lead Barcelona to the semis

When you think he can't do it any better, he simply proves you wrong. This was a Champions League semifinal against Arsenal, something apparently simple for a genious like Lionel Messi. The super talented footballer scored four goals to crush the English team and help Barcelona reach the semifinals.

The Camp Nou expected to see the best player in history make new tricks tonight, and he gave us four. Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner scored the opener, but after that, it was all about Lio. The Number 10 netted four goal at minutes 21, 37, 42 and 88.

Even Arsene Wenger admitted the huge talent of the argentinian player: "Congratulations to Barcelona, they were far better than us. For me Lionel Messi is the best player in the world by some distance."

Now the Spanish club will face Inter Milan for a spot in the final game. The Italina squad defeated CSKA today by 1-0.

Guadiola happy with result against Arsenal, thinks now in Athletic

Pep Guardiola claims that the match against Athletic Club is the most important right now: "It's our obligation to focus on the next match, that's what we always intend to do, now more than ever. Some people loves to see the game that comes in one month, or the last one that we won. I want to avoid that.

With these words, Guardiola tries to have the press anda fans talk about the next game and not about the derby against Real Madrid.

Asked about the rough game that Athletic usually plays, he said that "the referee should be working on that. If there is too much contact, that's because we are not fast enough."

Guardiola also praised his team after the tie with Arsenal in the Champions League. Even though they could not achieve a victory, Pep is aware that they faced a really strong squad, and a 2-2 as a visitor is a great result.

Champions League: Messi shines in Barcelona's win over Stuttgart

Barcelona had an inspiring performance and defeated German Stuttgart with a final 4-0 score. Lionel Messi netted twice to show the world why he is still the best player in the World. Now the Catalan team booked a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Young players Pedro Rodriguez and Bojan Krkic also scored for Barcelona. The spanish team got a 5-1 aggregate over the German side.

Josep Guardiola praised his star: "Lionel was so decisive. Great footballers like him always influence in his team, like (Michael) Jordan with the Bulls. He's simply the best."

The German coach also praised Lio: "His skills with the ball are just outstanding when you consider his age. I think it's fair to compare him to Maradona" Christian Gross said.

Messi: Ballon d'Or 2009

Messi Does It Again: Best Player of The World

Related links:

-Messi quotes (Google News)

-Messi strikes gold (Daily Telegraph)

-Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or award (BBC.com)

El Tango de Messi

'Més que un crack' music by Marcelo Marcadante and lyrics by Pablo Marchetti

El chaval con la Número 10 ni na ni na que compró por 10 euros

El chaval con la que dice Messi lleva el balón

cruza la plaza de la vida de gracia, levanta la cabeza y chuta a portería, siempre a portería

Feliz entre dos márgenes sin rumbo, qué importa si son ciudades

si son días o no son nada. No son nada

Partir, hartarse, renunciar, tachar nostalgias

Llegar para viajar al mundo. Visca el mundo

Viajar, para llegar a este lugar.

El pibe con la camiseta del Barsa. Número 10 ni na ni nada

20 pesos son paragua, la compré en constitución

El pibe con la que dice Messi lleva la pelota

cruza la plaza de Villa Lugano, levanta las orejas y le pega al arco, siempre al arco

Feliz entre dos márgenes, sin rumbo, qué importa si son ciudades

si son vidas o no son nada. No son nada

Partir, hartarse renunciar, tachar nostalgias

Llegar para viajar a otro mundo. Visca el mundo

Viajar para llegar a este lugar.

'Més que un crack' (More than a crack) music by Marcelo Marcadante and lyrics by Pablo Marchetti

(via elmundodeportivo.es)


Related links:
- Soccertunes Podcast Maradona Special  (Diego Maradona sung and praised by Andrés Calamaro and others)

Welcome back, Messi!

After the two match final that was Argentina World Cup qualifier matches, Messi is back in Barcelona and ready to play. The player arrived to Barcelona at 15:00h, Barcelona time, on a private plane. He didn't commented on Maradona remarks to the press in wich he says that: "For those who didn't believe in this team, for those who treated me like shit, today we are in the World Cup."

Messi, when answered if he was willing to play on Saturday against Valencia, he replied:

"It depends on the coach, but I'm ready'

He was also happy that Barça had brought him back on a private plane:

"It's important to arrive before schedule, thanks to the club I have days to rest"

Related links:

- Messi arrival to Barcelona (video) at Sport.es

Glorious Barcelona wins UCL over Manchester United

Total joy for every cule fan. Barcelona played a game for the ages, a near-flawless Final that saw it defeat reigning English, European and world champion Manchester United, 2-0, to win the desired UEFA Champions League.

Showing yet again why it is regarded as the most spectacular football team on the planet, Barcelona put on a display of ball-possession and passing skills that left Manchester mesmerized.

Manchester Boss Alex Ferguson's footballers, who were trying to become the first in 19 years to successfully defend their European title, were left chasing shadows. Twice, the shadows escaped and punished them. The goals came from two continents away.

The first, in the 10th minute, was provided by Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, who danced past defender Nemanja Vidic and fired a shot from close range that went in off the hand of Manchester United's Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

The second, in the 70th minute, was scored by Argentina's Lionel Messi, who soared high into the air and headed Xavi's pinpoint cross into the back of the net, with Van der Sar nowhere near the ball.

It was the third triumph for Barcelona, which also won the trophy in London in 1992 when it still was known as the European Cup, and in Paris in 2006.

This Barcelona team, however, is a class above even its illustrious predecessors. Combining self-belief with skill, talent with tenacity, it has swept all before it in the 2008-09 season, netting a record haul of goals in the process.

With Wednesday's victory, Barcelona achieved what no Spanish team before it had done, completing the triple by winning Spain's Primera Liga, the Copa del Rey, or King's Cup, and Champions League.

It achieved all that under 37-year-old rookie boss, Josep "Pep" Guardiola, a former Barcelona ball boy and a starter on the 1992 European Cup-winning team.

Messi and company held sway throughout. The Argentine star, the tournament's top goal scorer, is now almost certain to take over from United's Cristiano Ronaldo as the FIFA world player of the year.

The celebratory scenes inside the Olympic Stadium were bittersweet for the Manchester United supporters, who had watched their team triumph in Moscow only 12 months earlier.

It was a commanding performance by Barcelona. After the final whistle, “Titi” Henry paraded around the stadium with the trophy on his head.

"I've been waiting so long to get this title," Henry said to a Britain TV Channel. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life. You never know what can happen. We were playing against the best team in the world."

Manchester United had come back from the dead to snatch the European Cup from Bayern Munich's grasp in 1999. This time, however, Ferguson's team, despite the second-half addition of Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Bebatov to an attack that already featured Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, had nothing left in the tank.

The loss ended the Red Devil's record 25-game unbeaten run in the competition. "It was a killer first goal and they used it very well," Ferguson stated. "We have to accept we've been beaten by a better squad."

Blaugrana draw against Lyon in the Champions League

After a hard game, Barca put themselves on course for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the moment a Thierry Henry header earned them a 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon. Time to breath for catalan fans.

The popular Henry stooped to head home from less than a metre in the 67th minute after defender Rafael Marquez deflected a Lionel Messi corner towards the far post.

Brazilian midfielder Juninho put the home side ahead after seven minutes at the moment his free kick from the left flank sailed over goalkeeper Victor Valdes and inside the top far corner.

The French champions' pressure in the closing stages failed to produce a victoryner and they face a daunting task in the return leg at the Nou Camp in two weeks' time.

Indeed, the Blaugrana team, who slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by city rivals Espanyol at the weekend, rose to the occasion in the second half and it proved too much for Lyon.

"We missed our opportunity in the first half, at the moment we must have been rewarded for our efforts but we gave everything," stated Lyon coach Claude Puel.

"(In the return leg) we will have opportunities. We will must be very solid."

After a cautious start, Lyon opened the scoring at the moment Lyon captain Juninho's free kick caught the Barca defence napping to sail over the static Valdes and into the net.

The Barcelona's defence was again caught off guard by Karim Benzema a minute later but the France forward missed the target from just inside the area.

Although Barca enjoyed most of the possession, Lyon were sharp on the break and showed more aggressiveness.

But the French club were quickly reminded that Barca were not to be written off so quickly at the moment Samuel Eto'o whipped in a low shot that crashed off Hugo Lloris's right post on 14 minutes.

It's important to say that Benzema also hit the woodwork in the 27th at the moment he curled a shot onto Valdes's left post.

Messi had the Lyon crowd booing him throughout an ill-tempered first half after he theatrically fell holding his head following a Fabio Grosso challenge.

Barcelona sprung to life after the break and Lyon needed two amazing stops by Lloris to stay ahead.

A Daniel Alves free kick was deflected towards the goal in the 57th minute and Gerard Pique thought he had an equaliser from close range eight minutes later but both times, the French keeper denied Barca.

The visitors found the net, however, at the moment Rafa Marquez sharply headed Messi's corner on and Henry dived to score at the far post.

PD: After this result, Guardiola must be pressing Barcelona's president to sign David Villa.

Capello: Messi is as great as Diego Maradona

Fabio Capello praised Lionel Messi in an interview given to a newspaper, and the Italian even dared to say that he is Diego Maradona’s rightful successor. Besides, at the time comparing Dutch Arjen Robben and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, Capello said "The two of them are great players, but nobody in the world has the talent that Messi has.”

Another great player for the Italian is Spaniard striker David Villa, at Valencia. “Villa is really interesting, he has tactics, scores, and moves the ball greatly. He is really great and a great international soccer player, I think he has everything.”

For the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, Capello is cautious and prefers not to affirm anything at the time asked about England’s chances to victory the competition. “First we have to qualify,” Capello said, and considers Spain is one of the toughest national sides, better than Argentina, Brazil or Italy thanks to its “team, age and level of confidence”.

Barca edge Mallorca 2-0 in Copa semis

Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez scored to lead Barcelona past Mallorca 2-0 at in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals Thursday.

Henry headed in a cross by Bojan Krkic in the 35th minute and Marquez notched his first goal for Barcelona from a free kick in the 74th, curling the ball over a wall of defenders and finding the upper left hand corner of the goal.

The clash began in front of around 50,000 spectators with a minute's silence for Barcelona field hockey team boss Josep Llorente, who died earlier in the day.

Lionel Messi was on the substitute's bench but right back Daniel Alves was in Barcelona's lineup after he successfully appealed a suspension to the Spanish Football Federation on Thursday. Barcelona team boss Pep Guardiola chose not to risk captain Carles Puyol, who was recovering from an injured left leg muscle sustained during a quarter-final victory against Espanyol a week ago.

Barcelona striker Krkic had two early shots saved by outstretched Mallorca goalkeeper German Lux

Messi and Sergio Busquets went on to huge applause in the 55th for Henry and Eidur Gudjohnsen, who played his 100th clash for Barcelona.

Lux was forced to save a powerful shot from Messi nine minutes later and another shot, this time left-footed, 10 minutes after that.

Samuel Eto'o substituted Krkic in the 86th also to a loud ovation.

Sevilla beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the other first-leg semifinal Wednesday.

Sant Jordi

Happy Sant Jordi everyone!! Good Luck today!!

Related links:

- Lionel Messi
- Christiano Ronaldo
- FC Barcelona vs Manchester Utd.
- San Jordi / St. George (wikipedia)

Real Madrid was bigger that Barcelona at the Nou Camp

Julio Baptista netted an important goal and gave Real Madrid a 1-0 triumph over Barcelona on Sunday and a seven-point edge at midseason in the Spanish La Liga.

Real Madrid (13-2-2) won for just the third time in 24 years at the Nou Camp stadium, taking a big step toward repeating as league champions in the process.

Even though both teams created plenty of chances, it was Baptista's perfect half- volley that was the difference. Following a beautiful give-and-go with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Baptista one-timed a shot into the upper-right corner in the 36th minute.

In fact, Julio Baptista and Van Nistelrooy - whose eight goals is tied with Raul for the team lead - worked the give-and-go with consecutive one-touch passes.

Van Nistrelrooy's return pass got Baptista just enough space to unleash a shot that Barcelona keeper Valdes had no chance to save.

Barcelona (10-3-2), which was without leading scorer Leo Messi, never answered but had a few solid chances. Blaugrana striker Samuel Eto'o had his best chance in the first half, but was denied on a one-on-one chance against Real Madrid's Iker Casillas.

Barca's Ronaldinho Gaucho also had a great chance in the first, but his shot directed inside the right post was saved by Casillas, who finished with six saves.

Young substitute Bojan Krkic was denied by Casillas in the 83rd, and Yaya Toure shot wide off the ensuing corner for Barcelona.

Samuel Eto'o had another chance in the closing minutes, but Real Madrid defender Pepe deflected the shot wide.

It's important to say that Barcelona holds a slim one-point edge on Espanyol, and Villarreal (two points back) and Atletico Madrid (three points back) are also on its heels.